LONDON — The U.K. data protection authority announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into the popular social media platform TikTok. The focus of this inquiry is how TikTok handles the personal information of teenagers, particularly in how it uses this data to recommend content.
The Information Commissioner’s Office expressed growing concerns over social media companies and their use of data from children’s online activities. The worries center around the risk that young users could be exposed to inappropriate or even harmful content due to these recommendation algorithms.
John Edwards, the information commissioner, emphasized the importance of understanding what data TikTok collects and how it is utilized. “I expect there will be many positive uses of children’s data in their recommendation systems, but I’m also concerned about the potential risks,” he said. He noted issues such as addictive practices on the platform and exposure to harmful content.
This investigation will also assess how other platforms, including Reddit and Imgur, manage the personal information of minors and how they verify users’ ages.
In response, TikTok, which is operated by the Chinese company ByteDance, stated that it is committed to creating a safe environment for young users. The company stressed that its recommendation systems function under strict measures designed to protect teen privacy and safety, highlighting leading safety features and strong content restrictions tailored for young audiences.
It’s worth remembering that in 2023, the U.K. regulator slapped TikTok with a hefty fine of 12.7 million pounds (around $16 million) due to past mismanagement of children’s data. The regulator highlighted that TikTok failed to adequately prevent children under 13 from using its platform, allowing as many as 1.4 million young users in the U.K. on the app in 2020, despite the company’s own policies prohibiting such accounts.
As this investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on ensuring the digital safety of our youth while balancing the benefits that technology offers.
